The next big business trend that we are going to see, and that is happening already, is not only that aboriginal businesses are going to be stronger components of the corporate supply chain, but we are also going to see them as stronger proponents of equity positions and actual partners within resource projects.

JP Gladu of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business discusses native participation in resource industries...Read More

Rainbow Resources Inc TSXV:RBW announced May 17 acquisition of graphite prospects in southwest BC. The company has staked two claim blocks covering over 40 square kilometres west and southwest of its flagship Big Strike Gold-Silver Project in the Slocan Mining District. The 2,100-hectare Claim Block #1 lies immediately north of Anglo Swiss Resources’ TSXV:ASW Blu Starr Graphite Property and 14 kilometres from Eagle Graphite’s mine, one of North America’s two flake-graphite producers. The 2,100-hectare Claim Block #2 is contiguous to Blu Starr’s southern boundary.

Rainbow holds historic airborne survey information for its graphite claims, which the company has begun prospecting. Rainbow also plans to drill Big Strike’s Gold Viking area.

Arrowhead finds Quebec Graphite Mineralization

Arrowhead Gold Corp TSXV:AWH announced May 17 a graphite find on its Gateau Property in the Chibougamau Mining District of north-central Quebec. A review of drilling completed in 2008 found one hole with 48 metres of coarse-grained graphite mineralization. The graphite horizon is within a basalt unit just below a contact with a quartzite unit, the company stated. A 2011 airborne survey outlined a 7.5-kilometre-long east-west electromagnetic conductor that coincides with and appears to be caused by the graphite horizon. The survey found up to five other conductive horizons that may also be related to graphite mineralization. The 2008 drilling was intended to test a uranium target so carbon content wasn’t measured at the time. The core is still on the property.

Arrowhead plans to have a crew re-examine the graphite horizon and prospect the EM conductors for graphite. The 3,975-hectare Gateau Property is approximately 240 kilometres northeast of the town of Chibougamau.

Uranium North reports Nunavut Graphite Samples up to 4.13% C

Uranium North Resource Corp TSXV:UNR announced May 16 graphite sample results from its Amer Lake Property in Nunavut. Six randomly chosen samples from two drill holes showed assays of 4.13%, 3.2%, 3.84%, 0.6%, 3.22% and 3.77% carbon. The two holes, 3.1 kilometres apart, and a third hole 15 kilometres east, intersected graphitic beds that have been identified in three outcrops spanning an area 22 by 10 kilometres. The samples will undergo mineral liberation analysis to determine the nature and particle size of the graphite. Uranium North has staked additional claims over areas with outcropping graphitic rocks.

The project has an inferred uranium resource estimate of 19.3 million pounds grading 0.04% triuranium octoxide (U3O8) using the industry-standard cutoff of 0.01%. The project is 70 kilometres from an all-season road linking Agnico-Eagle’s TSX:AEM Meadowbank Gold Mine with the town of Baker Lake.

Lomiko expands Quebec Graphite Property

Lomiko Metals Inc TSXV:LMR announced May 14 a letter of agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Quatre Milles West Property in south Quebec. Under the agreement, Lomiko pays Zimtu Capital Corp TSXV:ZC and two other vendors a total of $3,000 and 1.8 million shares. The vendors retain a 2% NSR, half of which Lomiko may buy for $1 million.

The 2,180-hectare property covers the western extension of the geology that hosts the graphite-bearing structures shown in historic drilling at the company’s Quatre Milles Property. The combined property expands Quatre Milles from approximately 1,600 hectares to 3,780 hectares. Lomiko’s exploration program for the Quatre Milles Property includes mapping, prospecting and drilling to test and confirm historic high-grade graphite found by Graphicor Resources in a 26-hole, 1,625-metre drill program.

Zenyatta Ventures Ltd TSXV:ZEN announced May 14 a drilling update for its Albany Graphite Deposit in north Ontario. A stepout hole 450 metres east of the original discovery hole intersected 94 metres of near-surface graphitic breccia. A second hole collared from the same location but drilled in the opposite direction intersected 14.8 metres of graphitic veining and breccia followed by 108.2 metres of graphitic overprinting. Assays for the first hole are pending. The second hole will be redrilled due to mechanical problems with the rig. The company is currently drilling the first of two additional holes.

The graphite discovery is 30 kilometres from the Trans-Canada Highway, a powerline and a natural gas pipeline, 70 kilometres from rail and about five kilometres from an all-weather road. The deposit is near surface, underneath glacial till overburden.

Northern Graphite Corp TSXV:NGC announced May 14 two agreements for further tests to manufacture spherical graphite from its Bissett Creek Deposit in east Ontario. The company has engaged Hazen Research and the National Research Council Canada to continue testing and optimizing Northern’s process for manufacturing spherical graphite, which is used to make the anodes in lithium-ion batteries. The company has already developed a proprietary manufacturing process. Hazen Research will confirm lab results using bench-scale models of commercial purification equipment for the full-scale process. This program will likely be followed by pilot plant testing, engineering and design work to define the capital and operating costs of a commercial facility.

The NRC will test Northern’s spherical graphite in lithium-graphite batteries to optimize and customize its performance to meet the specifications of potential offtake customers and strategic partners. Bissett Creek is a high-purity, large-flake, scalable deposit close to infrastructure. Northern plans to complete a bankable feasibility study in 2Q 2012, followed by permitting. Subject to feasibility results and financing, mine construction could then begin.

Logan Copper Inc TSXV:LC announced May 14 acquisition of the Carheil Graphite Property in northwest Quebec. The 2,185-hectare property was staked on the Gestim website of Ressources naturelles et Faune Québec. During the 1970s Noranda Exploration undertook geophysics and drilling on 145 hectares of the property.

The project is approximately 280 kilometres northwest of Val-d’Or. Other Quebec projects of the same name include Standard Graphite’s TSXV:SGH Carheil Project in the Labrador Trough of northeast Quebec and NQ Exploration’s TSXV:NQE silver-polymetallic project in the northern Abitibi region.

Disclaimer:Lomiko Metals Inc, Standard Graphite Corp and Zimtu Capital Corp are clients of OnPage Media and the principals of OnPage Media may hold shares in those companies.

Strike Graphite Corp TSXV:SRK announced May 10 an exploration update for its Simon Lake Property in north-central Saskatchewan. The company has drilled two holes along an historic conductive trend and has begun a third hole on the same trend approximately 10 kilometres southwest of Simon Lake. The first hole encountered three graphitic intervals beginning at the start of bedrock. The second hole encountered approximately 132.5 metres of graphite-bearing rocks over a 148.7-metre zone. Visual measurements of core indicate graphite flakes up to 4 millimetres in length. Assays are pending.

The third hole, at the Morell Lake Target, will test a conductive unit over five kilometres along strike and more than two kilometres wide, which may represent an extension of the Simon Lake strike. The 11,800-hectare project is intersected by Highway 905. Drilling for base metals in the 1960s and 1970s found several showings of flake graphite mineralization.

Standard Graphite Corp TSXV:SGH announced May 9 results from an airborne EM survey over its River Property in east Quebec. The survey confirms that a surface graphite occurrence coincides with a conductive horizon extending for several kilometres, the company stated. Standard is conducting Phase I field work on its Ontario properties while preparing for Quebec field work. The River Property is 20 kilometres from the deep-sea port of Sept-Îles.

Standard now holds approximately 15 properties in the Grenville subprovince, which hosts numerous graphite occurrences. The company’s team includes experienced graphite personnel in Geologist Antoine Fournier and Senior VP Business Development Benoit Gascon, former President of Stratmin Graphite when it owned the Lac-des-Îles Graphite Mine.

First Graphite Corp TSXV:FGR announced May 9 completion of a VTEM geophysical survey over its Henry Graphite Project in north-central Saskatchewan. The 1,452-line-kilometre survey, at 200-metre line spacing, was intended to confirm historic graphite-bearing conductors and identify new targets. The company expects preliminary results in the next few weeks. Data will be used to guide surface sampling, geological mapping and drilling.

On May 8, First Graphite announced appointments to its management and advisory board. Vida Ramin was named Senior Manager Strategic and Public Affairs. She has managed a TSX-listed company’s Canadian mineral exploration projects and served as Manager of Lands and Aboriginal Policy for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources. Alan J Wainwright was named Exploration Manager. He is an economic geologist with mineral exploration and research experience on three continents. Wainwright was a senior member of Kaminak Gold’s TSXV:KAM discovery team at the Coffee Gold Project in Yukon. Dan Jody Dahrouge was appointed an adviser. He has over 20 years’ experience as a geologist on projects ranging from grassroots exploration to mine development and production. Daniel MacNeil, also appointed an adviser, has served with AngloAmerican, Barrick Gold TSX:ABX and Cardero Resource TSX:CDU.

Zenyatta Ventures Ltd TSXV:ZEN announced May 9 assays from its Albany Graphite Deposit in north Ontario. Results for the project’s first two holes show 3.8% carbon over 132 metres and 3.3% over 47.8 metres. The company expects to release further assays next week.

The Albany Deposit is a hydrothermal (magmatic) breccia, possibly related to a carbonatite intrusion and similar to the vein graphite deposits of Sri Lanka. Graphite veins are rare, and only a few of them are described in geological literature. Sri Lankan graphite has great demand due to its unusually high purity and unique physical properties. Albany is 30 kilometres from the Trans-Canada Highway, a powerline and a natural gas pipeline, 70 kilometres from rail and about five kilometres from an all-weather road.

Logan Copper Inc TSXV:LC announced May 9 the acquisition of La Piece Perdue Graphite Property in west Quebec. The 2,680-hectare property is about 130 kilometres north of Ottawa and 2.5 kilometres from the past-producing Asbury Graphite Mine. As with its April 25 acquisition of the 1,321-hectare Mayo Property in Quebec, the company did not release purchase details, other than it is a 100% acquisition with no NSR. Logan is compiling historic geological data to prepare for exploration on both prospects.

Anglo Swiss to prospect BC Graphite Property

Anglo Swiss Resources Inc TSXV:ASW announced May 9 plans to begin prospecting its Blu Starr Graphite Property in southeast BC. Work is expected to begin after snow clears in late May. The 6,473-hectare property is adjacent to Eagle Graphite’s mine, one of North America’s two flake-graphite producers. Graphite up to 15% has been mapped in an outcrop and appears associated with a three-kilometre anomaly identified in a 2010 airborne survey that covered less than 25% of the property.

Anglo Swiss’ flagship is its Kenville Gold Property in southeast BC. The company also holds the Lansdowne House Ring of Fire Nickel-Copper-PGE Project in northwest Ontario.

GreenLight Resources Inc TSXV:GR announced May 8 TSXV approval for its 100% option on the Christmas Island Gold-Graphite Property in Nova Scotia. Under the February 29 agreement, the company pays $60,000 and issues 350,000 shares over two years and spends $300,000 over three years.

The company has compiled current and historic data consisting of airborne and ground VLF, mag and IP surveys. The surveys appear to have identified widely disseminated graphite as well as graphite veining, the company stated. Ground crews have been prospecting for outcrops of graphite and will be sampling known showings prior to selecting drill targets. The program will also explore several known gold showings.

Cavan acquires two more Quebec Graphite Projects

Cavan Ventures Inc TSXV:CVN announced May 8 the acquisition of two graphite projects in Quebec. Under the agreement, Cavan pays $30,000 and issues 500,000 shares for a 100% interest in both properties. One project is adjacent to Timcal Graphite & Carbon’s Lac-des-Îles Graphite Mine, the other is approximately 35 kilometres east. The 2,400-hectare Big Flake Project adjacent to Timcal had two holes drilled in 1967 and 1968 with historic graphite findings. The second project covers approximately 900 hectares with reports of graphite from two holes drilled in 1965 and 1969.

The company also holds the 900-hectare Buckingham Graphite Property in Quebec, as well as two polymetallic projects in BC.

Atocha profiled in Resource World

Atocha Resources TSXV:ATT announced May 8 it is featured in the May edition of Resource World. The article discusses the company’s two recently acquired graphite properties in the Grenville geological subprovince. The 1,475-hectare Montpellier Property was drilled for graphite in 1965 and has good road access. The 1,740-hectare Saint-Sixte Property covers the extension of an airborne magnetic low anomaly that extends directly from Soldi Ventures’ TSXV:SOV Lochaber Graphite Property. Saint-Sixte is just off Route 317, approximately 65 kilometres from Ottawa. Phase I programs for both properties include GIS compilation, site visits and a mass mailing to local landowners.

Focus, Hydro-Québec sign Technology, Production Agreements

Focus Metals Inc TSXV:FMS and L’institut de recherche d’Hydro-Québec announced May 7 a licensing agreement allowing Focus to develop a graphite-purification facility and a graphite-anode production facility for lithium-ion batteries. Under the agreement, Focus will build, own and manage the facilities. IREQ will provide technical support and cooperate in future technology improvements.

Subject to positive economic analysis, the purification facility will produce up to 15,000 tonnes of spherical battery-grade flake graphite by 2015. The anode facility will produce up to 5,000 tonnes of anodes. IREQ will receive a licensing fee over a three-year period, representing less than 10% of the current working capital, as well as a royalty on future sales. The facilities will use graphite from Focus’ Lac Knife Project in Quebec. The battery-grade process will be incorporated into the project’s PEA scheduled for June 7.

Uragold Bay Resources Inc TSXV:UBR announced May 3 it has closed a private placement of 66 units at $1,000 for proceeds of $66,000. Each unit consists of 20,000 shares and 20,000 share purchase warrants. Each warrant allows the purchase of one share of the capital stock at $0.10 up to 24 months after closing.

The proceeds, combined with the issuing of eight million shares to the vendors, will allow the company to complete 100% acquisition of two Quebec projects, the Asbury Graphite Mine and Canadian Graphite Property.

Lomiko announces Quebec Graphite Exploration Program

Lomiko Metals Inc TSXV:LMR announced May 2 the company’s 2012 exploration plans for its Quatre Milles Graphite Property in southwest Quebec. Lomiko has retained Consul-Teck Exploration to conduct a $307,000 Phase I drill program to bring historic results for 16 holes into 43-101 compliance. If successful, Phase II will consist of a $724,000, 38-hole program. Work is expected to start in June and take up to four months. Lomiko plans to establish a flake-graphite resource estimate for the 1,660-hectare property by December.

The property was explored by Graphicor Resources between 1989 and 1991. The underlying geology consists of intercalated biotite gneiss, biotite feldspar gneiss, marble, quartzite and calc-silicate lithologies of the Central Metasedimentary Belt of the Grenville Geological Subprovince. Quatre Milles is 26 kilometres by paved road from the Trans-Canada Highway and a one-hour drive from the mining centre of Val-d’Or.

Zimtu Capital Corp TSXV:ZC and Olympic Resources Ltd TSXV:OLA announced May 2 an option in which Olympic may earn a 100% interest from Zimtu and one of its prospecting partners in the Flora Lake Graphite Property in Labrador. Under the agreement Olympic pays Zimtu and its prospecting partner each $30,000 and 1.5 million shares. The vendors retain a 2% net milling royalty of which Olympic may buy half for $1 million.

The 4,104-hectare property was previously explored in 1953, when several graphite occurrences were described as “graphitic bands up to 10 feet [3.05 metres] in the feldspar-quartz biotite gneiss… The graphite occurs as disseminated flakes to a solid seam up to two inches [5.08 centimetres] thick.” Flora Lake is eight kilometres from Labrador City and is accessible by Trans-Labrador Highway 500. The property is transected by powerlines and railways that service the nearby iron mines. Olympic plans to begin exploration by compiling historic geologic work then undertaking EM surveys, surface mapping, sampling, trenching and diamond drilling.

Olympic also announced the appointment of Dean Nawata as President/CEO/Director in place of Balbir Johal, who has resigned. Elston Johnston has resigned as director, while John Kiernan has been appointed to the board. Additionally Olympic announced a private placement of one million units at $0.10 for proceeds of $100,000 to be used for exploration and general working capital.

Strike Graphite Corp TSXV:SRK announced May 2 the discovery of graphitic gneisses at its Simon Lake Property in northeast Saskatchewan. The first hole at the Simon Lake West Target encountered graphite mineralization in intercepts of 13.7 metres, 23.8 metres and 8.7 metres. Visual measurements of core found flake sizes up to four millimetres. The company says the hole verifies historic accounts of “disseminated graphite” or “coarse graphite flakes” with narrower intervals described as “graphite flakes abundant” and “heavy graphite in six- to 12-inch [15.24- to 30.48-centimetre] bands.” The core will be assayed for carbon content and sent for initial metallurgical tests to determine flake size, purity and recovery.

Another target, Simon Lake, will be drilled in an attempt to confirm historic descriptions of “abundant graphite” over a 68-metre interval. A third target, Morell Lake, shows a conductor over five kilometres along strike and more than two kilometres wide, which might represent the extension of known graphite-bearing lithologies at Simon Lake. The company plans to sink 10 holes totalling 2,500 to 3,500 metres into the 11,800-hectare property, which is intersected by Highway 905.

Big North Graphite Corp TSXV:NRT announced May 2 it will begin exploration on its Lyndoch-Griffith and Brougham properties in southeast Ontario with an airborne EM survey flown at 100-metre line-spacing. Geological consultants G.A. Harron and Associates have finished site visits and will write a 43-101 report based on results of the EM survey and compilations of past work, with recommendations for surface followup work in early summer. Exploration will mostly be conducted by MPH Consulting Ltd.

The 6,500-hectare properties cover substantial tracts of graphite-prospective geology and have not been explored with modern technology, the company stated. The properties are about 140 kilometres south of Ottawa in a region with well-established access and infrastructure.

Bolero Resources Corp TSXV:BRU announced May 2 a purchase agreement with GeoInvest Enterprises Inc to acquire 38 prospective large-flake graphite claims in east Ontario. Under the agreement, Bolero pays $50,000 on signing and $50,000 and one million shares on TSXV approval. GeoInvest retains a 2% NSR and a $25-per-tonne production royalty on graphite mined. Bolero may buy half of the NSR for $1 million and reduce the production royalty to $12.50 per tonne by paying $500,000.

The 4,990-hectare property surrounds Northern Graphite’s TSXV:NGC Bissett Creek Graphite Deposit on all four sides. Bissett Creek is scheduled for open-pit production by the end of 2013. Bolero is assembling an experienced graphite team to begin a 2012 exploration program, the company stated. The property is approximately 17 kilometres from the Trans-Canada Highway between Ottawa and North Bay.

Nevado finds potential Graphite Anomalies in Quebec

Nevado Resources Corp TSXV:VDO announced May 2 it has identified graphite potential in the southern portion of its Fermont Claim Block in northeast Quebec. The company found several strong, multikilometric EM anomalies while reviewing a 1990 survey. The property’s geological setting is similar to that of adjoining properties with known graphite potential, Nevado stated. Exploration will begin in the coming weeks.

The company originally acquired its 47,000 hectares of Fermont claims for their iron potential in the Labrador Trough. The region has also seen graphite exploration at Standard Graphite’s TSXV:SGH Carheil Project and Focus Metal’s TSXV:FMS more advanced Lac Knife Project.

Flinders appoints Process Manager, updates Sweden Graphite Drilling

Flinders Resources Ltd TSXV:FDR announced May 2 the appointment of Dan Pettersson as Process Manager at its Kringel Graphite Mine in Sweden. Pettersson was formerly Process Engineer at the site, when it operated as the Woxna Mine.

Flinders has drilled 20 holes of a 35-hole, 2,500-metre program to bring historic resources into 43-101 compliance and to test for extensions of the deposit below 50 metres and along strike. Drilling is expected to finish around the third week of May, with final assays expected in late June and resource modelling and reporting in late July.

Terra Firma options Quebec Graphite Property, begins Exploration

Terra Firma Resources Inc TSXV:TFR announced May 2 an option to earn a 100% interest in the Lac des Iles East Graphite Property in southwest Quebec. Under the agreement, the company pays $25,000 on signing, $50,000 and 750,000 shares within one week of TSXV acceptance, $40,000 and 375,000 shares six months after TSXV acceptance and $35,000 and 375,000 shares 18 months after TSXV acceptance. The vendors retain a 2% NSR, one-half of which Terra Firma may buy for $1 million.

The 3,980-hectare Lac des Iles East Property borders the eastern boundary of Timcal Graphite & Carbon’s Lac-des-Îles Mine, the largest of North America’s two operating flake-graphite mines. Lac des Iles East shares the same geological environment as the Timcal mine, Terra Firma stated. Exploration will begin immediately with a compilation of historic work followed by an airborne EM survey, surface work, stripping, trenching and diamond drilling. The property is within a three-hour drive from Montreal. The company is also preparing to explore its Beidelmann-Lyall Graphite Property in southeast Ontario.

Standard finds Conductor over Quebec Graphite Target

Standard Graphite Corp TSXV:SGH announced May 1 that a TDEM survey shows a significant conductor over its Sandy Lake Property in northeast Quebec. Interpretation of the 340-line-kilometre survey linked two anomalies associated with an eight-kilometre conductor that shows fold structures in its northern and central portions. Fold structures are considered important exploration targets where graphite potentially migrated during metamorphism. The conductor coincides with known graphite occurrences. Standard plans field work beginning in early June.

Sandy Lake is 20 kilometres from the mining town of Fermont and 30 kilometres from Focus Metal’s TSXV:FMS Lac Knife Deposit. Standard’s other properties in the region are Carheil and Sandy Lake NE.

Soldi Ventures Inc TSXV:SOV announced May 1 it has completed preliminary geological and geophysical surveys of its Cameron Graphite Property in southwest Quebec. Sample assays are pending.

A graphite zone identified in 1965 appears to show as a very low frequency electromagnetic response that has been traced for a minimum strike length of 200 metres and is open to the southeast. A bulk sample, 23 drill holes and metallurgical tests were conducted in 1965. Non-43-101 results showed concentrate grading up to 97.4% carbon. One test found flake-size distribution of 52.39% +48 mesh and another found 65.09% +48 mesh jumbo flakes.

Soldi plans a first-phase diamond drilling program of approximately 1,000 metres to test the graphite zone over a length of 400 metres and to a vertical depth of 100 metres. The 1,180-hectare property is 125 kilometres north of Ottawa, just off Highway 105, and has good regional infrastructure.

Canadian International Minerals Inc TSXV:CIN announced May 1 it has joined a prospecting syndicate to explore for graphite in northwest Ontario. By funding the Miller Graphite Project, the company has acquired a 50% interest in the syndicate’s initial property. A 1989 non-43-101 account reports graphite samples of 30.4% and 30.3% carbon and flake sizes averaging one millimetre and reaching up to three millimetres. The syndicate has located the historic showings and new graphite occurrences, which coincide with airborne geophysical anomalies found in 2001.

The syndicate has staked 15 claims comprising 240 hectares including the Miller Project. Further evaluation will be conducted after spring breakup. The syndicate intends to make the property available to third parties for an option or joint venture. The claims are accessible by forestry roads.

Graphite One Resources begins Alaska Airborne Surveys

Graphite One Resources Inc TSXV:GPH announced April 30 the beginning of an airborne geophysical survey at its Graphite Creek Property in Alaska. The 690-line-kilometre program will comprise both magnetics and electromagnetics flown at 50-metre spaced lines. The survey is part of a $4.5-million program that will include prospecting, mapping, sampling and drilling along conductors delineated from the airborne survey and a previously defined graphite-bearing schist. The company hopes to demonstrate that high-grade, large-flake graphite mineralization exists at surface and along a strike length of nearly five kilometres.

The 3,108-hectare property sits on privately held land 65 kilometres from Nome, a deep-sea port with proximity to Asian markets. Graphite Creek is three kilometres from an airstrip and 20 kilometres from roads. It is the only active graphite project in the US.

Standard Graphite Corp TSXV:SGH and Terra Firma Resources Inc TSXV:TFR announced April 26 that Terra Firma has optioned a 100% interest in Standard’s Beidelmann-Lyall Graphite Property in southeast Ontario. Under the agreement, Terra Firma pays Standard $10,000 on signing, $25,000 and 400,000 shares on TSXV acceptance, 350,000 shares six months after TSXV acceptance, 250,000 shares one year after TSXV acceptance and 250,000 shares two years after TSXV acceptance.

The 625-hectare property is about 23 kilometres from the past-producing Black Donald Mine, one of North America’s largest and richest graphite deposits, with reported grades up to 80% C, Terra Firma states. During the last 10 years of mine life, the average reported grade was 25% to 30% C. Beidelmann-Lyall is accessible by paved and logging roads.

Standard also announced 350,000 options at $0.44 per share have been granted to directors, officers and consultants of the company.

On April 24 Standard announced the acquisition of the Mousseau East Graphite Deposit in west Quebec. Under the agreement, Standard pays a total of $375,000, issues $400,000 in shares, and pays a bonus on filing a resource estimate. The vendor retains a 1% NSR, which Standard may buy for $500,000. A 1992 non-43-101 resource estimate by Graphicor Resources showed 598,480 tonnes grading 8.29% carbon proven, 219,450 tonnes grading 8.13% probable and 288,760 tonnes grading 7.85% possible. Mousseau East is now the flagship of Standard’s 13 properties.

On April 24, Standard cancelled a $3-million private placement announced April 5. The company states it is well-funded subsequent to the January 20 closing of its non-brokered private placement for six million units at $0.25 per unit for proceeds of $1.5 million.

Strike Graphite Corp TSXV:SRK announced April 26 a private placement of 2.78 million flow-through units at $0.36 for proceeds of $1 million. Each unit will consist of one share and one-half warrant. Each whole warrant will be exercisable for one non-flow-through share at $0.45 for 18 months.

The offering will also include 6.67 million non flow-through units at $0.30 for proceeds of $2 million. Each unit will consist of one common share and one-half warrant. Each whole warrant will be exercisable for one share at $0.45 for 18 months. Proceeds will be used for exploration and development of graphite assets in Saskatchewan and Quebec and for general working capital.

Strike also announced the appointment of Jerry Janik and Jody Dahrouge to its advisory board. Janik has over 20 years of experience in control, mine planning/tailings deposition, production, project management, process improvement, permitting and new product development. Most recently, he has served as General Manager of Ontario Graphite’s Kearney Mine, which is scheduled to reopen in fall 2012 after 16 years on care and maintenance.

On April 24, Strike announced the beginning of exploration drilling on its 11,800-hectare Simon Lake Graphite Property in northeast Saskatchewan. Two or three holes of initial drilling will test known graphite mineralization along the 5.5-kilometre Simon Lake conductive trend. Up to seven additional holes will test the recently identified 25-kilometre conductor southwest of Simon Lake. The current program will total 2,500 to 3,500 metres and take 35 to 40 days to complete. The project is intersected by Highway 905.

WestCan Uranium Corp TSXV:WCU announced April 26 the purchase of the 1,947-hectare Dominion Lake Graphite Property in west Quebec. Under the agreement, WestCan pays $17,500 and one million shares within 45 days of regulatory approval and $17,500 on completion of financing. If WestCan or any subsequent buyer files a resource estimate of at least five million tonnes of graphite, WestCan issues the vendors an additional five million shares or equivalent. The company must spend at least $500,000 within two years of regulatory approval. The property is subject to a 2.5% NSR.

Dominion Lake is adjacent to Standard Graphite’s TSXV:SGH recently acquired Mousseau East Property. Historic work between 1989 and 1994 included extensive geophysics and a 4,996-metre drill program. The property is accessible by paved and gravel road. This is WestCan’s second graphite property, in addition to its gold-silver and copper properties.

MEGA Graphite announced April 25 a revised merger implementation deed with Strategic Energy Resources Ltd to acquire the Uley Graphite Mine in South Australia. The mine is currently owned by Tarcoola Gold, a demerged subsidiary of the ASX-listed Strategic Energy. Under the revised MID, Strategic shareholders will receive 50% of MEGA’s issued capital. MEGA will also pay Strategic CAD$3 million in tranches. An ongoing royalty remains in place. The final tranche is payable on completion of MEGA’s TSX listing. Terms of the IPO, including the price and number of shares to be issued, are being determined. MEGA’s TSX listing is scheduled to occur by August 31.

The Uley Deposit is one of the world’s largest coarse-flake graphite deposits. Uley has been worked intermittently since the late 1920s, most recently between 1989 and 1993. The mine and plant have been under care and maintenance since. The deposit has an Australian Joint Ore Reserves Committee resource estimate of over 6.6 million tonnes grading 8% carbon. MEGA intends to process 20,000 tonnes per annum. Power, water and communication lines are connected, and the necessary permits are in place.

Logan acquires Quebec Graphite Property

Logan Copper Inc TSXV:LC announced April 25 it has acquired the 1,321-hectare Mayo Graphite Property in west Quebec. The company did not release purchase details, other than it is a 100% acquisition with no NSR. The property is 80 kilometres from Timcal Graphite & Carbon’s Lac-des-Îles Graphite Mine and four kilometres from the Bell Mine, which produced 6,700 tonnes of graphite between 1906 and 1912. Logan is now compiling historic geological data to prepare an exploration program.

Canada Rare Earths begins EM Surveys

Canada Rare Earths Inc TSX:CJC announced April 25 it has begun airborne electromagnetic surveys at La Loutre and Lac-des-Îles Ouest graphite projects in west Quebec. Results of the 1,145-line-kilometre survey are expected in May. The company’s other graphite properties are Champagne, Tetepisca North and Labelle. In addition to the EM survey, the company plans ground sampling and mapping on all its graphite properties as well as trenching and drilling at Champagne and community consultation for Labelle. The company is targeting multiple crystalline flake-graphite targets similar to other Quebec deposits.

Sharp Supply Deficit forecast as China cuts World Graphite Production by 10%

Writing in Seeking Alpha April 24, Ben Axler predicts a sharp supply deficit for graphite over the coming years. His article cites an April 17 Industrial Minerals report by Simon Moores which states that China is closing graphite mines and cutting production by about 100,000 tonnes per annum. “This equates to 10% of annual global graphite supply or 16% of the amorphous market, according to IM’s Natural Graphite Report 2012,” Moores writes. He speculates that buyers might have to rely on higher-priced flake graphite to meet demand.

Using figures from the US Geological Service and public sources, Axler predicts world graphite supply to drop by 8.5% in 2012, then increase by only 2.3% in 2013 and 4.9% in 2014. He emphasizes, “I’ve assumed base-case demand growth of only 5% in the next few years, which I believe is conservative and does not account for much larger demand drivers such as battery applications or graphene.” He adds, “Given the current tightness in the market, this supply shortage will not be easily replaced in the short to medium term until new supply comes into the market.”

Zenyatta Ventures Ltd TSXV:ZEN announced April 23 a drilling update from its Albany Graphite Deposit in northern Ontario. Core showed graphitic breccia for intervals of 43.1 metres (from 62.6 metres to 105.7 metres), 128.1 metres (from 133.5 metres to 261.6 metres) and 59.62 metres (from 380.3 metres to 439.9 metres). Assays are expected in 10 to 12 days. The drill campaign will define the extent of the graphite breccias, delineated by an airborne geophysical conductor, with 4,000 metres of wide-spaced drilling over the next two months.

Analysis of previous samples confirmed existence of a very rare hydrothermal (magmatic) graphite occurrence with flake sizes ranging from fine (-270 mesh) to coarse (+40 mesh). The property is about five kilometres from a road and 30 kilometres from the Trans-Canada Highway, a powerline and a natural gas pipeline. A rail line is 70 kilometres away.

Velocity Minerals Ltd TSX:VLC announced April 23 further historic results from its three graphite properties in southwest Quebec. Non-43-101 accounts from 1991 and 1992 refer to flake sizes at Ascension ranging between 0.5 millimetres and 5 millimetres in diameter. Lac Vert contained flakes ranging from 0.5 millimetres to 2.0 millimetres. Flake graphite was also reported from the Buckingham Property.

Standard Graphite Corp TSXV:SGH and Terra Firma Resources Inc TSXV:TFR announced April 26 that Terra Firma has optioned a 100% interest in Standard’s Beidelmann-Lyall Graphite Property in southeast Ontario. Under the agreement, Terra Firma pays Standard $10,000 on signing, $25,000 and 400,000 shares on TSXV acceptance, 350,000 shares six months after TSXV acceptance, 250,000 shares one year after TSXV acceptance and 250,000 shares two years after TSXV acceptance.

The 625-hectare property is about 23 kilometres from the past-producing Black Donald Mine, one of North America’s largest and richest graphite deposits, with reported grades up to 80% C, Terra Firma states. During the last 10 years of mine life, the average reported grade was 25% to 30% C. Beidelmann-Lyall is accessible by paved and logging roads.

Standard also announced 350,000 options at $0.44 per share have been granted to directors, officers and consultants of the company.

On April 24 Standard announced the acquisition of the Mousseau East Graphite Deposit in west Quebec. Under the agreement, Standard pays a total of $375,000, issues $400,000 in shares, and pays a bonus on filing a resource estimate. The vendor retains a 1% NSR, which Standard may buy for $500,000. A 1992 non-43-101 resource estimate by Graphicor Resources showed 598,480 tonnes grading 8.29% carbon proven, 219,450 tonnes grading 8.13% probable and 288,760 tonnes grading 7.85% possible. Mousseau East is now the flagship of Standard’s 13 properties.

On April 24, Standard cancelled a $3-million private placement announced April 5. The company states it is well-funded subsequent to the January 20 closing of its non-brokered private placement for six million units at $0.25 per unit for proceeds of $1.5 million.

Strike Graphite Corp TSXV:SRK announced April 26 a private placement of 2.78 million flow-through units at $0.36 for proceeds of $1 million. Each unit will consist of one share and one-half warrant. Each whole warrant will be exercisable for one non-flow-through share at $0.45 for 18 months.

The offering will also include 6.67 million non flow-through units at $0.30 for proceeds of $2 million. Each unit will consist of one common share and one-half warrant. Each whole warrant will be exercisable for one share at $0.45 for 18 months. Proceeds will be used for exploration and development of graphite assets in Saskatchewan and Quebec and for general working capital.

Strike also announced the appointment of Jerry Janik and Jody Dahrouge to its advisory board. Janik has over 20 years of experience in control, mine planning/tailings deposition, production, project management, process improvement, permitting and new product development. Most recently, he has served as General Manager of Ontario Graphite’s Kearney Mine, which is scheduled to reopen in fall 2012 after 16 years on care and maintenance.

On April 24, Strike announced the beginning of exploration drilling on its 11,800-hectare Simon Lake Graphite Property in northeast Saskatchewan. Two or three holes of initial drilling will test known graphite mineralization along the 5.5-kilometre Simon Lake conductive trend. Up to seven additional holes will test the recently identified 25-kilometre conductor southwest of Simon Lake. The current program will total 2,500 to 3,500 metres and take 35 to 40 days to complete. The project is intersected by Highway 905.

WestCan Uranium Corp TSXV:WCU announced April 26 the purchase of the 1,947-hectare Dominion Lake Graphite Property in west Quebec. Under the agreement, WestCan pays $17,500 and one million shares within 45 days of regulatory approval and $17,500 on completion of financing. If WestCan or any subsequent buyer files a resource estimate of at least five million tonnes of graphite, WestCan issues the vendors an additional five million shares or equivalent. The company must spend at least $500,000 within two years of regulatory approval. The property is subject to a 2.5% NSR.

Dominion Lake is adjacent to Standard Graphite’s TSXV:SGH recently acquired Mousseau East Property. Historic work between 1989 and 1994 included extensive geophysics and a 4,996-metre drill program. The property is accessible by paved and gravel road. This is WestCan’s second graphite property, in addition to its gold-silver and copper properties.

MEGA Graphite announced April 25 a revised merger implementation deed with Strategic Energy Resources Ltd to acquire the Uley Graphite Mine in South Australia. The mine is currently owned by Tarcoola Gold, a demerged subsidiary of the ASX-listed Strategic Energy. Under the revised MID, Strategic shareholders will receive 50% of MEGA’s issued capital. MEGA will also pay Strategic CAD$3 million in tranches. An ongoing royalty remains in place. The final tranche is payable on completion of MEGA’s TSX listing. Terms of the IPO, including the price and number of shares to be issued, are being determined. MEGA’s TSX listing is scheduled to occur by August 31.

The Uley Deposit is one of the world’s largest coarse-flake graphite deposits. Uley has been worked intermittently since the late 1920s, most recently between 1989 and 1993. The mine and plant have been under care and maintenance since. The deposit has an Australian Joint Ore Reserves Committee resource estimate of over 6.6 million tonnes grading 8% carbon. MEGA intends to process 20,000 tonnes per annum. Power, water and communication lines are connected, and the necessary permits are in place.

Logan acquires Quebec Graphite Property

Logan Copper Inc TSXV:LC announced April 25 it has acquired the 1,321-hectare Mayo Graphite Property in west Quebec. The company did not release purchase details, other than it is a 100% acquisition with no NSR. The property is 80 kilometres from Timcal Graphite & Carbon’s Lac-des-Îles Graphite Mine and four kilometres from the Bell Mine, which produced 6,700 tonnes of graphite between 1906 and 1912. Logan is now compiling historic geological data to prepare an exploration program.

Canada Rare Earths begins EM Surveys

Canada Rare Earths Inc TSX:CJC announced April 25 it has begun airborne electromagnetic surveys at La Loutre and Lac-des-Îles Ouest graphite projects in west Quebec. Results of the 1,145-line-kilometre survey are expected in May. The company’s other graphite properties are Champagne, Tetepisca North and Labelle. In addition to the EM survey, the company plans ground sampling and mapping on all its graphite properties as well as trenching and drilling at Champagne and community consultation for Labelle. The company is targeting multiple crystalline flake-graphite targets similar to other Quebec deposits.

Sharp Supply Deficit forecast as China cuts World Graphite Production by 10%

Writing in Seeking Alpha April 24, Ben Axler predicts a sharp supply deficit for graphite over the coming years. His article cites an April 17 Industrial Minerals report by Simon Moores which states that China is closing graphite mines and cutting production by about 100,000 tonnes per annum. “This equates to 10% of annual global graphite supply or 16% of the amorphous market, according to IM’s Natural Graphite Report 2012,” Moores writes. He speculates that buyers might have to rely on higher-priced flake graphite to meet demand.

Using figures from the US Geological Service and public sources, Axler predicts world graphite supply to drop by 8.5% in 2012, then increase by only 2.3% in 2013 and 4.9% in 2014. He emphasizes, “I’ve assumed base-case demand growth of only 5% in the next few years, which I believe is conservative and does not account for much larger demand drivers such as battery applications or graphene.” He adds, “Given the current tightness in the market, this supply shortage will not be easily replaced in the short to medium term until new supply comes into the market.”

Zenyatta Ventures Ltd TSXV:ZEN announced April 23 a drilling update from its Albany Graphite Deposit in northern Ontario. Core showed graphitic breccia for intervals of 43.1 metres (from 62.6 metres to 105.7 metres), 128.1 metres (from 133.5 metres to 261.6 metres) and 59.62 metres (from 380.3 metres to 439.9 metres). Assays are expected in 10 to 12 days. The drill campaign will define the extent of the graphite breccias, delineated by an airborne geophysical conductor, with 4,000 metres of wide-spaced drilling over the next two months.

Analysis of previous samples confirmed existence of a very rare hydrothermal (magmatic) graphite occurrence with flake sizes ranging from fine (-270 mesh) to coarse (+40 mesh). The property is about five kilometres from a road and 30 kilometres from the Trans-Canada Highway, a powerline and a natural gas pipeline. A rail line is 70 kilometres away.

Velocity Minerals Ltd TSX:VLC announced April 23 further historic results from its three graphite properties in southwest Quebec. Non-43-101 accounts from 1991 and 1992 refer to flake sizes at Ascension ranging between 0.5 millimetres and 5 millimetres in diameter. Lac Vert contained flakes ranging from 0.5 millimetres to 2.0 millimetres. Flake graphite was also reported from the Buckingham Property.

Zenyatta Ventures Ltd TSXV:ZEN announced April 13 an update on definition drilling at its Albany Graphite Deposit in northeast Ontario. The company drilled one hole 200 metres south and another hole 200 metres north of a previously reported hole that intersected eight separate graphite-rich breccia zones. The south hole intersected a wide zone of graphitic breccia and an abundance of graphite-rich clasts that probably represent initial graphite veins that have been subsequently brecciated, the company stated. The north hole, still in progress, immediately intersected graphitic breccia below the overburden and limestone cover. Assay results are expected over the next few weeks. Over the next two months, the company plans 4,000 metres of wide-spaced drilling to define the extent of the graphite breccias, delineated by a 1,400-metre by 800-metre geophysical anomaly.

Focus Metals Inc TSXV:FMS announced April 11 metallurgical test results on graphite samples from its Lac Knife Property in northeast Quebec. SGS Metallurgical Services reported the deposit held 46.1% large flake (+48 mesh to +100 mesh) and 39% medium flake (+150 mesh to +200 mesh) with a global recovery test rate of 85.9%. The company stated that in addition to the large flake, the rest of the graphite flake (+150 mesh to +200 mesh) can be used to produce anodes for lithium-ion batteries. The next phase of testing will be designed to improve the global recovery and provide a flow sheet and operating parameters for use in a preliminary economic assessment.

Focus describes its Lac Knife Property as the world’s highest-grade technology graphite resource. The company holds a 40% interest in Grafoid Inc, a joint venture created to find proprietary methods of manufacturing graphene primarily using unprocessed graphite ore from Lac Knife.

Big North Graphite Corp TSXV:NRT announced April 11 an option with Zimtu Capital Corp TSXV:ZC and three of its prospecting partners to earn a 100% interest in the Grand Lac du Nord Graphite Property in east Quebec. Under the agreement, Big North pays $40,000 on signing and $40,000 on TSXV acceptance. The company also pays Zimtu and its three prospecting partners a total of 1.5 million shares within five days of TSXV acceptance, 500,000 shares six months after TSXV acceptance, 500,000 shares 12 months after TSXV acceptance and 500,000 shares 14 months after TSXV acceptance. Big North must also spend $150,000 on the property within 12 months of TSXV acceptance and an additional $350,000 within 15 months of TSXV acceptance. If Big North files a resource estimate within seven years of TSXV acceptance showing at least 200,000 tonnes of graphite content at a cutoff of 5% carbon, or the equivalent in value for sillimanite (an aluminum silicate used in refractories, abrasives, ceramics and non-slip flooring), Big North will pay the optionors an additional $200,000 and two million shares. The optionors retain a 2% net milling royalty, 1% of which Big North may buy for $1 million.

The 2,009-hectare property is 140 kilometres from Sept-Îles and is accessible by paved and logging roads. The property was explored previously by SOQUEM Inc after an airborne electromagnetic survey found anomalies. Ground work in 2000 and 2001 identified a high-grade sillimanite formation. The presence of graphite was also noted visually. Big North plans to begin exploration by compiling historic work and performing surface work, trenching and diamond drilling.

Click here for an interview with Big North President/CEO Spiro Kletas.

Before April 9, Big North Graphite Corp TSXV:NRT was called Big North Capital Inc TSXV:NRT.

Northern Graphite Corp TSXV:NGC announced April 11 it granted a total of 500,000 share options at $2.50, exercisable until April 11, 2017, to five non-executive directors. The company currently has 46.1 million shares outstanding and may grant up to 4.6 million options. The company now has 3.5 million options outstanding.

On April 10, Northern Graphite announced a strategic partnership with Panacis Inc to develop lithium-ion batteries using graphite from Northern’s Bissett Creek Deposit in east Ontario. With over 20 patents or patents pending, Panacis has capabilities including battery systems engineering and integration, power electronics, electromechanical design, rapid prototyping and manufacturing, the company stated.

Northern Graphite has manufactured test quantities of spherical graphite for li-ion batteries using concentrate produced from Bissett Creek. The company expects to complete feasibility and permitting in the first half of 2012 followed by open-pit mine construction, conditional on feasibility results and financing.

Goldcliff finds BC Graphite at Surface

Goldcliff Resource Corp TSXV:GCN announced April 11 the occurrence of several bedded-graphite outcrops on its Ainsworth Property in southeast BC. Graphite lenses have been observed in several road cuts along logging roads on the property’s Bjerk Target. Graphite has also been found in near-surface hand-dug pits. A number of airborne geophysical conductors have been identified for follow up.

The 10,280-hectare claim block is within the historic Ainsworth-Kaslo Silver Camp and was originally explored for silver. The company recently re-evaluated previous exploration and near-surface graphite occurrences that had previously been ignored. The property is 55 kilometres from the Eagle Graphite Corp operation, one of North America’s two producing graphite mines.

Lara reports Brazil Graphite Grab Samples up to 42.04% C

Lara Exploration Ltd TSXV:LRA announced April 11 that seven additional graphite occurrences have been identified on its Caninde Project in Ceara State, Brazil. Surface grab samples ranged from 0.81% carbon to 42.04% C. The six highest grades were 42.04%, 40.47%, 36.54%, 26.58%, 25.23% and 23.77%. The company reported that the graphite-bearing trend is now known to extend for more than 16 kilometres.

Lara is a prospect generator with 15 joint venture agreements, primarily in Brazil and Peru. The company holds 100% of the 15,615-hectare Caninde Project.

First Graphite Corp TSXV:FGR announced April 10 an option with Zimtu Capital Corp TSXV:ZC and one of its prospecting partners to earn a 100% interest in the Henry Graphite Property in northeast Saskatchewan. Under the agreement, First Graphite will pay Zimtu and its prospecting partner each $38,750 on signing, $38,750 and 350,000 shares on TSXV acceptance, 150,000 shares six months after TSXV acceptance, 250,000 shares 12 months after TSXV acceptance and 250,000 shares 24 months after TSXV acceptance. The vendors will retain a collective 2% NSR.

The Henry Property consists of six mineral claims covering approximately 22,853 hectares. During 1974 base-metal exploration by Hudson Bay Exploration and Development, drilling intersected graphitic gneisses in several holes despite efforts to avoid graphite. Graphite is described in the historic, non-43-101 drill logs over intervals of up to 30 metres. The property is 20 kilometres from the Deep Bay Graphite Project, which hosts an historic non-43-101 resource of 1.8 million tons grading 10.32% carbon to a depth of 60 metres. Highways 102 and 905 run through the Henry Property.

First Graphite also announced a non-brokered private placement of up to 3.5 million units at $0.40 per unit for proceeds of up to $1.4 million. Each unit will consist of one common share and one-half non-transferable warrant. Each full warrant will allow the purchase of one additional share at $0.50, exercisable for 18 months after closing. Proceeds will be used for payments under the option agreement, exploration of the property and general corporate purposes.

In addition, First Graphite announced the appointment of Vince Sorace as President/CEO/Director. Kyle Stevenson resigned as interim CEO and will remain a director. Andrew Mugridge resigned as President and will remain VP Corporate Development. Brian Morrison resigned as a director.

Click here for an interview with First Graphite VP Corporate Development Andrew Mugridge.

Standard Graphite appoints Senior VP Business Development

Standard Graphite Corp TSXV:SGH announced April 10 the appointment of Benoit Gascon as Senior VP Business Development. Gascon has over 20 years’ experience in the graphite industry. He was President of Stratmin Graphite, owner of the Lac-des-Îles Mine in Quebec, one of North America’s two producing graphite mines. Gascon negotiated Stratmin’s takeover by Imerys SA to form Timcal Graphite & Carbon in 2002. Gascon remained at Timcal in senior roles. Standard holds a 100% interest in 13 prospective graphite properties within known graphite districts in Quebec and Ontario.

Atocha Resources Inc TSXV:ATT announced April 10 it had staked 1,740 hectares of graphite claims in southwest Quebec. The property covers the extension of an airborne magnetic anomaly that extends directly from Soldi Ventures’ TSXV:SOV Lochaber Graphite Property. A 1950 airborne magnetic survey shows several anomalies, the largest approximately 2,000 metres by 400 metres, the company stated. The property is just off of Route 317, approximately 65 kilometres from Ottawa. The area has seen forestry work, and a good road network is in place.

Cavan acquires Quebec Graphite Claims for $75,000, 1M shares, 2% NSR

Cavan Ventures Inc TSXV:CVN announced April 10 it had acquired the 900-hectare Buckingham Graphite Property in Quebec. Under the agreement, Cavan will make cumulative payments of $75,000 and issue one million shares over two years. The vendor retains a 2% NSR, 1% of which Cavan may buy for $1 million. The company cited a 1984 report stating that a number of graphite deposits in Buckingham Township were mined between the 1860s and 1910.

Standard Graphite Corp TSXV:SGH announced April 5 a brokered private placement of up to 3.53 million units at a price of $0.85 per unit for $3 million. Each unit will consist of one common share at $0.85 and one half-warrant. Each full warrant will be exercisable for 18 months for one share at $1.10. Warrants are subject to accelerated expiry should shares trade above a weighted average of $1.35 for 20 consecutive trading days subsequent to four months from closing. Funds will be used for the company’s graphite properties in Quebec and Ontario.

On April 4, Standard Graphite announced an option to acquire a 100% interest in 31 Quebec graphite claims. Under the agreement, Standard pays Hamish Ross $5,000 and 50,000 shares on TSXV approval, 100,000 shares four months after signing and 100,000 shares six months after signing. The mining claims are located in rusty graphitic gneisses similar to those in Fermont, Quebec, the company reports.

Energizer Resources Inc TSX:EGZ and Malagasy Minerals Ltd announced April 4 graphite drill results from the Molo Zone of their Joint Venture Property in Madagascar. Energizer holds a 75% interest and acts as project operator on the property, which surrounds Energizer’s wholly owned Green Giant Graphite-Vanadium Property on three sides. Energizer has identified 17 graphite trends with a cumulative strike length of more than 320 kilometres on the Green Giant and JV properties. The company believes this project has the potential to host a graphite camp with multiple zones.

WestCan Uranium Corp TSXV:WCU announced April 4 the acquisition of the Mathieu Graphite Property in eastern Quebec. Under the agreement, WestCan pays the vendors $35,000 and 1.5 million shares. The property is subject to a 2.5% NSR. If WestCan or any subsequent buyer establishes a resource of at least 5 million tonnes carbon in any NI 43-101 category, the company will issue the vendors an additional five million shares of the company or its equivalent. WestCan must also spend $500,000 on exploration within 24 months of TSXV approval.

The property is 125 kilometres northwest of the deep-sea port of Baie-Comeau and has road access. It is adjacent to Galaxy Capital’s TSXV:GXY Sun Graphite Property and St-Georges Platinum’s Julie Project. Base metal exploration by Otokumpu Mines Inc was abandoned in the late 1990s when the company concluded that all anomalies explored were related to graphite mineralization.

Cavan acquires Quebec Graphite Prospects

Cavan Ventures Inc TSXV:CVN announced April 3 the acquisition of approximately 1,140 hectares of graphite prospects in Quebec. Under the agreement, Cavan pays $75,000 and issues one million shares over two years. A 2% NSR also applies, with the option to buy back 1% for $1 million. The claims lie adjacent to the Asbury Graphite Mine, which had historic production from 1980 to 1988, and a large unexplored mag anomaly identified on the Gestim Web site of Ressources naturelles et Faune Québec. The Asbury Mine is approximately 30 kilometres south of Timcal Graphite & Carbon’s Lac-des-Îles Graphite Mine.

Strike Graphite appoints Blair Way CEO

Strike Graphite Corp TSXV:SRK announced April 2 the appointment of Blair Way as CEO. He replaces Geoff Balderson, who remains President. Way was previously VP Project Development for Ventana Gold, where he advanced Colombia projects that recently sold for $1.4 billion. He has also served as President/Project Director of Oceanagold Philippines, overseeing the construction of the Didipio Gold-Copper Project, Project Manager with Hatch Associates, working on mining and metal-related projects in Australia, South Africa, China, Papua New Guinea and South East Asia, and as Project Director for BHP’s Major Projects Division in Queensland.

Northern Graphite Corp TSXV:NGC announced April 2 the manufacture of test quantities of spherical graphite using concentrate produced from its Bissett Creek Deposit in Ontario. Spherical graphite is used to make anodes in lithium-ion batteries. The company stated that li-ion cells were made and tested by an independent laboratory and performance showed its spherical graphite meets or exceeds current commercial performance requirements. Further test cycles are continuing. CEO Gregory Bowes commented, “We can now provide potential strategic and offtake partners with representative test samples of graphite concentrate produced using the same flow sheet that will be employed in a full-scale mine, and spherical graphite based on that concentrate.”

Fortune Graphite seeks JV for BC Graphite Claims

Fortune Graphite Inc announced April 2 that it is seeking a joint venture partner for its Superior Group of graphite claims in BC. The 5,720-hectare property is located in the Slocan Mining Division. Exploration from 1998 to 2005 included sampling, testing and drilling. In February 2012, Fortune filed a 43-101 technical report on the property.

Amseco Exploration Ltd TSXV:AEL announced March 15 the acquisition of 469 claims covering 25,362 hectares in a Quebec region known to host graphite occurrences. Under the agreement, Amseco pays $15,000 and issues three million shares. The vendors retain a 2% NSR, of which Amseco can buy back 1% for $500,000.

The claims are 20 to 25 kilometres from the Manic-Cinq Dam and 215 kilometres from the deep-sea port of Baie-Comeau. Companies operating in the region include Cliffs Natural Resources CLF, Focus Metals TSXV:FMS and St-Georges Platinum and Base Metals. The project is approximately 215 kilometres north of the deep-sea port of Baie-Comeau. The project area is accessed by Highway 389 and logging roads. Amseco will issue an overview of the historic compilation, surface geophysics and mapping.

On February 29, Amseco announced it is negotiating a joint venture with St-Georges Platinum to explore more than 10,110 hectares of Quebec graphite prospects. The two companies acquired the properties by staking government lands, resulting in no dilution to existing shareholders. The Tétépisca West, Canadian Goose and Wooden Lake properties are approximately 45 kilometres from the Manic-Cinq Dam and 215 kilometres from Baie-Comeau. The Pike River, Lake 222 and Polynesian Lake properties are further south, 120 kilometres from Baie-Comeau.

St-Georges, Focus announce MOU on Quebec Graphite Prospects

St-Georges Platinum and Base Metals Ltd SX announced March 13 a memorandum of understanding with Focus Metals Inc TSXV:FMS regarding two of St-Georges’ Quebec graphite prospects. Under the three-month agreement, Focus will evaluate the potential of St-Georges’ Tétépisca property and assist St-Georges’ geological staff in evaluating multiple graphite occurrences found on the company’s Julie Nickel-Copper Project. Focus has a 120-day right of first refusal to establish a joint venture with St-Georges to develop those properties.

Strike Graphite Corp TSXV:SRK announced March 28 that drill permits had been issued for its Simon Lake Property in northern Saskatchewan. Drilling will test known graphite occurrences along a 5.5-kilometre conductive trend and a recently identified 25-kilometre conductive trend confirmed last February in an airborne TDEM survey. Core will also be processed for initial metallurgical testing. The crew will be mobilized shortly. Highway 905 intersects the 11,800-hectare project. Historic drilling during base-metal exploration showed several occurrences of flake-graphite mineralization.

Solace Resources Corp changed its name and stock symbol to First Graphite Corp TSXV:FGR, effective March 27. The next day it announced an option with Thomas Lewis to acquire a 100% interest in the Mt Heimdahl Property in southeast BC. Under the agreement, First Graphite will pay Lewis $5,000 and issue him 100,000 shares within five days of TSXV approval and an additional $5,000 and 100,000 shares within a year.

The 1,045-hectare property is located in the Valhalla Complex of the Omineca Crystalline Belt. Infrastructure includes forestry roads and a high-tension powerline eight kilometres south, where Eagle Graphite’s beneficiation plant is located.

Graphite One Resources Inc TSXV:GPH announced March 27 the resignation of President Charles Chebry, who was replaced by Anthony Huston, formerly the company’s VP Business Development. Huston remains on the board of directors. The company also announced the appointment of Brian Budd and VP Exploration Dean Besserer to the board of directors. Budd has over 20 years of entrepreneurial and sales leadership experience, the company stated. John Williamson stepped down from the board but will remain as an adviser. Graphite One was formerly Cedar Mountain Exploration Inc. The new name and stock symbol took effect March 23.

Lomiko Metals Inc TSXV:LMR announced March 27 that the TSXV had accepted a 43-101 report on its Quatre Milles Flake Graphite Property in southwest Quebec. Exploration by Graphicor Resources Inc in 1989 included a 16-hole, 1,625-metre drill program. Historic, non-compliant results included 8.07% carbon over 28.6 metres, 8.6% over 7.6 metres and 15.48% over 0.5 metres. Lomiko plans exploration with surface mapping, prospecting and follow-up diamond drilling. On March 16, the company announced the appointment of Dietmar Siebholz to its advisory board. Siebholz has been researching the application of graphite and graphene in high-tech developments.

Atocha Resources Inc TSXV:ATT announced March 27 it has engaged Dany Boilard Inc to begin operations on its Montpellier Graphite Property in southwest Quebec. Initial work will include GIS compilation, site visits and a mass mailing to local landowners; a 2012 exploration plan will follow. The company announced the acquisition of the 1,475-hectare property March 20. Under the purchase agreement, Atocha will pay $15,000 cash on signing and issue 2.6 million shares on TSXV approval. The property is not subject to an NSR or exploration commitments. Finders’ fees of 250,000 shares are payable on TSXV acceptance. Montpellier is located in the Grenville geological sub-province, north of Soldi Ventures’ TSXV:SOV Lochaber Property.

Galaxy Capital Corp TSXV:GXY announced March 26 a private placement of up to 12 million units at $0.18 per unit for $2.16 million. Each unit will consist of one common share and one transferable half-warrant. Each full warrant will be exercisable for 18 months to purchase one additional share at $0.25. Funds will be used for exploration and development on Quebec graphite projects and general working capital. On March 15, Galaxy announced an option to earn a 100% interest in the Buckingham Graphite Property in Quebec. Under the agreement, Galaxy pays 9187-1400 Quebec Inc $15,000, an additional $15,000 and 300,000 shares on TSXV approval and 300,000 shares six months later. The vendor retains a 2% net milling royalty, 1% of which may be purchased by Galaxy for $1 million.

The 1,324 hectare property consists of two former mines. The host rocks for both deposits are graphitic crystalline marbles, similar to the host stratigraphy at Timcal Graphite & Carbon’s Lac-des-Îles Graphite Mine, Galaxy reports.

Standard Graphite Corp TSXV:SGH announced March 26 completion of an EM survey at its Black Donald property in east Ontario and the acquisition of additional claims in the area. The survey highlighted two parallel and well-defined conductors that appear to replicate the trend of the former Black Donald Mine, which produced high-purity graphite between 1895 and 1950. Some historic graphite occurrences associated with these conductors confirm the significance of this discovery, the company reported.

Following the 1,492-line-kilometre airborne survey, the company acquired 500 hectares of adjacent property for $5,000 and 15,000 shares, an additional $10,000 and 20,000 shares one year after TSXV approval, an additional $15,000 and 25,000 shares two years after TSXV approval and $50,000 three years after TSXV approval. The company has scheduled a field reconnaissance program for April.

Energizer Resources Inc TSX:EGZ announced March 26 metallurgical test results for its Green Giant Graphite Project in Madagascar. Simple mechanical crushing with no flotation yielded flake sizes of +50 mesh. Tom Burkett, VP of Graphite Materials & Systems at SGL Group, the world’s largest carbon company, stated that +50 mesh is considered jumbo flake. Ore from the project produced graphite concentrates at purities of +90%.

Energizer also announced that a private placement of 2.54 million shares for US$635,000 had closed with DRA Africa Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of DRA Mineral Projects. DRA now holds 1.6% of Energizer, with the right to acquire up to 5%. DRA is a technical partner of Energizer and specializes in design and construction of mines, processing plants and related infrastructure. The company operates on five continents.

Flinders Resources Ltd TSXV:FDR announced March 26 a private placement of up to 8.82 million units at $1.70 for proceeds of up to $15 million. Each unit will consist of one common share and one half-warrant. Each full warrant will be exercisable at $2.20 per share for two years. Proceeds will be used to advance the company’s Kringel Graphite Mine in Sweden toward production. The mine produced flake graphite from 1996 to 2001, when it closed due to falling prices and put on care and maintenance. The company stated the mine is fully permitted, constructed and ready to be brought back into production.

Focus Metals loans $500K to Grafoid Inc

Focus Metals Inc TSXV:FMS announced March 19 a loan of US$500,000 to Grafoid Inc, a private corporation. The loan will be used to pay a private company for negotiating an exclusive license with a foreign university for patent-pending technology relating to exfoliation of graphite using raw graphite rock. Focus Chief Scientist Gordon Chiu is an inventor of this process. Focus holds a 40% interest in Grafoid while 20% is held by each of three Focus principals: Chiu, President/CEO Gary Economo and Chairman Jeff York.

Chiu also pledged the shares he holds in the private company, with Grafoid now owning 50% of the shares and the balance of 25% being held by a professor of the university.

Under the terms of the Grafoid shareholder agreement between Focus, Economo, York and Chiu, Focus must pay Grafoid CAD$1.5 million to maintain its ownership position in Grafoid. The loan is intended to allow Grafoid to make the first payment to the private company and will form part of the $1.5 million to be paid to Grafoid pending approval by Focus shareholders and TSXV.

On March 14, Focus announced the closing of a $10-million bought-deal flow-through private placement. Proceeds will go to exploration on the company’s Quebec properties including its Kwyjibo REE-Copper Project and Lac Knife Graphite Project.

Zenyatta Ventures Ltd TSXV:ZEN announced March 15 commencement of definition drilling at its Albany Graphite Deposit in northeast Ontario. The company plans 4,000 metres of widely spaced holes to test a 1,400-metre by 800-metre airborne EM conductor. A previous hole testing this conductor found eight separate graphite-rich breccia zones. The discovery is approximately four kilometres from an all-weather logging road, 30 kilometres from the Trans-Canada Highway and a gas pipeline and 70 kilometres from a rail line.

Petrographic examination by Lakehead University found graphite ranging from fine (-270 mesh) to coarse (+40 mesh). SGS Canada is now conducting bench-scale testing to determine purity, flake-size distribution and recoverability. President/CEO Aubrey Eveleigh tells ResourceClips.com the discovery is “a hydrothermal graphite deposit unlike what anybody is promoting in North America right now. There is one in Sri Lanka that’s similar to it, and that’s a vein-type graphite.”

Soldi Ventures Inc TSXV:SOV announced March 13 exploration will begin on its Cameron and Lochaber graphite properties in Quebec. Initial work will include ground geophysics, drilling, bulk sampling and metallurgical testing.

In 1965, a bulk sample from the 1,180-hectare Cameron Property produced non-43-101 concentrate results grading 97.4% with 90.2% recovery and recoveries of large or jumbo graphite flakes of plus-48-mesh at 65.09% and 52.39% in two separate tests. The 930-acre Lochaber Property was explored in the 1950s and 1980s. A strong, wide-airborne conductor was discovered, and a ground visit revealed massive flake graphite, the company stated.

GreenLight Resources Inc TSXV:GR announced March 13 it has staked 1,230 hectares adjacent to its Christmas Island Gold and Graphite Property in Nova Scotia. The combined property now consists of 2,330 hectares with numerous IP and geochemical anomalies. Historic work found occurrences of graphite, gold, silver and base metals. GreenLight stated it is reviewing all previous work and will begin a work program immediately.